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John M. A. Wojahn, PhD
Evolutionary Biologist
My research centres on elucidating evolutionary processes, including hybridisation, lineage diversification, and functional trait evolution, through an integrative framework that combines molecular systematics with detailed morphological and biogeographical analyses, informed by open-source practices and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles. By leveraging these complementary data streams, I investigate the evolutionary history and adaptations of plants, aiming to uncover fundamental patterns that advance evolutionary theory, taxonomy, and conservation actions.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Emphasis in Global Change Biology
Boise, Idaho, USA
2025 - 2020
Boise State University
Doctoral Advisors: Sven Buerki Committee: Martin W. Callmander, James Smith, and Stephen Novak
Dissertation: Understanding tropical plant evolution through hybridization and adaptive introgression: a case study of Pandanaceae
Master of Science
Biology
Emphasis in Plants
Boise, Idaho, USA
2020 - 2018
Boise State University
Major Advisor: Sven Buerki Committee: James Smith and Stephen Novak Thesis: A metanalysis of sequences of vascular plants in the world’s biodiversity hotspots with a special section on Madagascar
Honors Bachelors of Science
Marine Biology and Microbiology (Dual Degree)
Corvallis, Oregon, USA
2016 - 2011
Oregon State University
Honors Advisor: Byron C. Crump Committee: Fiona Tomas Nash and Ryan Mueller Thesis: Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of the leaf-and root-associated microbiomes of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica Minors in French and Chemistry
Research Experience
Doctoral Research
Boise State University, Sven Buerki’s Lab (In-Person); Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève, Martin W. Callmander’s Lab (Remote)
Boise, Idaho, USA; Geneva, Switzerland
Present - 2020
- Investigating the evolutionary history of Pandanaceae
EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant
Boise State University, Sven Buerki’s Lab
Boise, Idaho, USA
2022 - 2020
- Provider of bioinformatics programming support for the GEM3 project in Sven Buerki’s lab
- Developed bioinformatics tools for the GEM3 community
Master of Science Research
Boise State University, Sven Buerki’s Lab
Boise, Idaho, USA
2020 - 2017
- Investigated the reproducibility of collections and DNA sequences in biodiversity hotspots
- Went on expedition to Madagascar with Sven Buerki to survey forest
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Oregon State University, Byron Crump’s Lab
Corvallis, Oregon, USA
2016 - 2013
- Investigated the microbiome of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica
- Collected samples on research cruises off the Oregon coast, on the Columbia River, and in the Arctic Ocean
Undergraduate Research Intern
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Health Services, Leslie Lindsay’s Lab
Corvallis, Oregon, USA
Winter 2012
- Dissected juvenile Pacific Salmon to remove kidneys for ELISA analysis
Undergraduate Research Intern
Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center, Itchung Cheung’s Lab
Newport, Oregon, USA
Spring 2012 - Winter 2011
- Enumerated fish eggs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
#6 Pandanus Plastomes Decoded: When Climate Mirrors Morphology and Phylogenetic Relationships
American Journal of Botany. 111:e16461. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.16461
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
2025
Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Buerki S
#5 Update on the phylogenetic framework of Malagasy angiosperms
In S. M. Goodman (ed.), The new natural history of Madagascar, pp. 464-470.
Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2ks6tbb.58
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
2022
Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Lowry PP, Buerki S
#4 Sapindaceae
In S. M. Goodman (ed.), The new natural history of Madagascar, pp. 685-690.
Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2ks6tbb.84
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
2022
Buerki S, Philipson P, Lowry PP, Wojahn JMA, Andriambololonera S, Callmander MW
#3 Meta-Analysis Reveals Challenges and Gaps for Genome-to-Phenome Research Underpinning Plant Drought Response
International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022, 23(20), 12297 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012297
Basel, Switzerland
2022
Melton AE, Galla SJ, Dumanguit CD, Wojahn JMA, Novak S, Serpe M, Martinez P, Buerki S
#2 G2PMineR:A Genome to Phenome Literature Review Approach
Genes. 12:293 https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12020293
Basel, Switzerland
2021
Wojahn JMA, Galla SJ, Melton AE, Buerki S
#1 Metatranscriptomics and Amplicon Sequencing Reveal Mutualisms in Seagrass Microbiomes
Frontiers in Microbiology. 2018 9:388 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00388
Lausanne, Switzerland
2018
Crump BC, Wojahn JMA, Tomas F, Mueller RS
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Doctoral
Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology Lab Instructor at Boise State University. Link to positive teaching reviews
Boise, Idaho, USA
Present - 2022
Designed and Implemented G2PMineR Lab Section
Developed a new lab section for BIOL 304 Evolution and Ecology course at Boise State University based on the G2PMineR literature review package that will be made publicly available on the GEM3 website. Supervised by Sarah Dalrymple and implemented by Leonora Bittleston.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2021-2023
EPSCoR GEM3 Summer Academic Research Experience Mentor
Instructor of R and Laboratory Techniques for EPSCoR GEM3 Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) Class at Boise State University
Boise, Idaho, USA
Summer 2021
Vertically Integrated Projects Mentor
Instructor of R and Data Mining Techniques for Sven Buerki’s Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) course at Boise State University
Boise, Idaho, USA
Spring 2021
EPSCoR Research Technician 2/Bioinformatics Instructor
Instructor of R and Data Mining Techniques for Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) Class at Boise State University
Boise, Idaho, USA
Summer 2020
Teaching Assistant, Masters
Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology Lab Instructor at Boise State University. Link to positive teaching reviews
Boise, Idaho, USA
2020 - 2018
Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate
Assisted in teaching introductory French to 7th grade students at Cheldelin Middle School
Corvallis, Oregon, USA
2015 - 2013
Grants
University Honors College DeLoach Work Scholarship
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon, USA
2014
- $1000
Awards and Honour Societies
Award for Excellence in Teaching (Graduate Teaching Assistant)
Won the Department of Biological Sciences excellence in graduate teaching award for 2024.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2024
Dean’s Scholar, College of Arts and Sciences
Won the Dean’s Scholar prize for the 2024 Graduate Showcase.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2024
Fellow of the Linnean Society of London
A learned society dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy, founded in 1788.
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, UK
Elected 2024
Full Member of Sigma Xi (ΣΞ)
Scientific Research Honour Society, founded in 1886.
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
Elected 2023
Posters, Presentations, and Conferences
Upcoming conference honoring Chris Davidson
Co-organizer of the conference.
Boise, Idaho, USA
TBD 2025
Plastome phylogenetic analysis of Pandanus Parkinson: insights into adaptations and taxonomic recommendations
Poster for 2024 BSU Graduate Showcase
Boise, Idaho, USA
2024
Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Smith JF, Novack S, Pierce J, Buerki S
Bi-Organellar Phylogenomics of Pandanus (Pandanaceae) Sheds New Light into a Future Improved Infrageneric Classification and Ecological Processes
Poster for 2023 BSU Graduate Showcase
Boise, Idaho, USA
2023
Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Smith JF, Novack S, Buerki S
Research and classroom implementation of G2PMineR: a novel genome to phenome literature review approach
Poster for 2022 NSF EPSCoR GEM3 Annual Meeting
Boise, Idaho, USA
2022
Wojahn JMA, Dalrymple S, Bittleston L, Callmander MW, Buerki S
Testing the Reproducibility of Collection and Sequencing Efforts for the Biodiversity Hotspot Flora and Producing a Phylogeny of the Pandanaceae to Assess Evolutionary Distinctiveness and Risk of Extinction
Poster for 2021 Graduate Proposal Showcase
Boise, Idaho, USA
2021
Wojahn JMA, Callmander MW, Smith J, Novack S, Buerki S
G2PMineR: A genome to phenome literature review approach
Poster for 2020 GEM3 Annual Meeting
Boise, Idaho, USA
2020
Wojahn JMA, Galla SJ, Buerki S
Developing a rapid plant community survey for use in biodiversity hotspots
Poster for the Forum on Biodiversity of Global Hotspots
Boise, Idaho, USA
2018
Wojahn JMA, Buerki S
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) Global
Member of the Global chapter of oSTEM, a non-profit professional association for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community.
Global
2024-ongoing
Some woody plants of the Boise River/Algunas plantas leñosas del río Boise/Quelques plantes ligneuses de la rivière Boise
Wrote trilingual guide to some of the woody plants of the Boise River for a nature walk hosted by Project Scientia, a multilingual public science dissemination organization.
https://tinyurl.com/2s3pb26c
Boise, Idaho, USA
2023
Summer Authentic Research Experience (SARE) Mentor
Mentored minority and first-generation undergraduates
Boise, Idaho, USA
Summer 2021
Summer Authentic Research Experience (SARE) Mentor
Mentored minority and first-generation undergraduates
Boise, Idaho, USA
Summer 2020
Plant Identification For People With Visual Impairments
Posted an accessible guide on plant identification for people with visual impairments
https://tinyurl.com/5ee7kp63
Boise, Idaho, USA
2019
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) Oregon State University chapter
Undergraduate member of oSTEMatOSU, a non-profit student association for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community.
Corvallis, OR, USA
2011-2016
Leadership
Member of the Student Advisory Board for Inclusive Leadership
Served on the Student Advisory Board for Inclusive Leadership paid for by the NSF GOLD-EAGER grant, representing the Department of Biological Sciences.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2024
President
Events & Research Association
Boise, Idaho, USA
Fall 2023
Club to foster professional, social, and scholarly development among advanced undergraduate and graduate students primarily of the Anthropology, Biology, BMOL (Biomolecular Sciences), EEB (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior), Geosciences, and HES (Human Environment Systems) programs at Boise State University.
Vice President
Ecological Research Association
Boise, Idaho, USA
2019-2020
Department of Biological Sciences graduate student social and professional development association
Software Products
NESS
The Nexus for Empowered Student Societies (NESS) is a forum aims to provide a space for officers of student-led organizations to share their insights in posts called “Nessies”. Link here
Boise, Idaho, USA
2024
Muddiest Points AnalyzeR Webtool
Muddiest Points AnalyzeR uses heuristics and random sampling to create an input file of muddiest points that a generative artificial intelligence (such as ChatGPT) can parse and synthesise into a list. The input file is not human-readable but is machine-readable. ChatGPT had a character limit that is based on the complexity of the query it is being asked. Muddiest Points AnalyzeR creates a response whose word limit is below that warranted by its complexity, as estimated through trial and error.
Link here
Boise, Idaho, USA
2024
G2PMineR
A free and open-source literature mining tool developed specifically for G2P research.
This R package uses automation to make the G2P review process efficient
and unbiased, while also generating hypothesised associations
between genes and phenotypes within
a taxonomical framework.
Link here
Boise, Idaho, USA
ongoing-2021
SoilsSeeR
SoilSeeR: An R Package to Easily Access the FAO-UNESCO Digital Soil Map of the World (0.1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11068926
Boise, Idaho, USA
2022
Kew_WCoUP_ProcessoR
An R package that extracts and sorts information from the “Kew World Checklist
of Useful Plants”, which is available only in PDF format.
Link here
Boise, Idaho, USA
2022
MyLab Suite
An automatic lab manager program (written in R Shiny) and a digital lab notebook
program (written in C). Available, but not maintained and may no longer be stable.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2018
Certifications
Boating Safety Certificate (Boating License)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, USA
2021
Approved by NASBLA, USCG, and Transport Canada, valid in USA and Canada
Multi-Passenger Van Training
Boise State University
Boise, Idaho, USA
2018
Notary Public Training
Secretary of State, State of Idaho
Boise, Idaho, USA
2017
DAN Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries
Certified by Divers Alert Network
Boise, Idaho, USA
2011
EFR-Primary Care (CPR) & Secondary Care (1st Aid)
Certified by Dive Magic, Inc.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2010
American Red Cross Swimming Training
Instructor: Annie Endo
Misawa AFB, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
1998
Miscellaneous Skills
Tailoring
Skilled at modification and construction of formalwear and other garments, as well as mascot, cosplay, and Halloween costumes.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2016-Present
Bonsai
Member of the American Bonsai Society, focusing on the use of trees indiginous to North America.
Boise, Idaho, USA
2005-Present
5th Generation Scrimshander (only on artificial materials)
5th generation scrimshander (4th: PM Wojahn neé Houghton b. 1958, 3rd: WW Houghton b. 1925, 2nd: CH Houghton b. 1885, 1st: JE Houghton b. 1857).
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, USA
2000-Present